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ISSN 0008-767X January 2007

t h e C a t a l y s t

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Section's Web Page: http://membership.acs.org/p/philadelphia

Introducing our New Section Chair David Cichowicz

Page � the Catalyst

Page �January �007

the CatalystOfficial Publication of the Philadelphia Section, American Chemical Society

Founded April 15, 1899Volume 92, No. 1 January 2007

STAFFEDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Robin S. Davis

EDITORSCOVER: Melissa HessNEWS ATOMS: Alan WarrenPROOF EDITORS: Georgia Arbuckle-Keil Deborah Kilmartin Marge Matthews Frank Scholnick Alan WarrenMANAGERSBUSINESS: George CowperthwaiteADVERTISING: Vince Gale

TABLE OF CONTENTS PageFebruary Advance Notice 3Chair's Column 4Delaware Valley Science Fairs 4January Meeting Notice 5News Atoms 62007 Contact Congress Week 8Letter to the 2006 Chair 8Introduction to the New Chair 8Nominations for Teacher Awards 9Nominations for Merck Award 9MARM Volunteer Opportunities 10Chemical Consultants Network 10Book Review: Artificial Enzymes 11Philadelphia Section Award Photo 11May 2006 Board Minutes 122007 Election Results 12June 2006 Board Minutes 13September 2006 Board Minutes 14October 2006 Board Minutes 15Joy of Toys in Chemistry 16Directory of Services 172007 Calendar 20

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEECHAIR: DEBORAH KILMARTINAnthony W. Addison Melissa Hess Georgia Arbuckle-Keil Marge MatthewsGeorge Cowperthwaite Frank ScholnickRobin S. Davis Judy Summers-GatesVince Gale Victor TortorelliRobert Gates Alan Warren Kendra L. Yoder

A D V A N C E N O T I C E

FEBRUARY MEETINGDr. John Collier, Florida State University

Making Scotch Whiskey

St. Joseph's University

Philadelphia, PA

THURSDAY, February 15th, 2007

See the FEBRUARY issue of the Catalyst for details,call the Section Office at (215) 382-1589, email [email protected]

Published monthly except July, August and December by the Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society. All views expressed are those of the editors and contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society. Periodical class postage paid at Philadelphia, PA. Subscription rate: Section member, $2.00; regular subscription, $4.25; for foreign mailing, $5.25. Editorial matters should be sent to the attention of the Editor-in-Chief c/o the Philadelphia Section ACS, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 34th and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323 or [email protected].

Advertising: Vince Gale, MBO Services, P.O. Box 1150, Marshfield, MA 02050, phone (781) 837-0424, fax (781) 837-1453, email: [email protected].

Printed by Priestley Printers, Philadelphia, PA (215) 665-0515


FromTheChair

David Cichowicz

Happy New Year everyone! I would like to thank the Section membership for having enough confidence in me to serve as your Chair for 2007. This is shaping up to be an exciting year with a number of events and activities planned in addition to our normal schedule. Also, two of our own have important National positions: Katie Hunt is serving as National President and Jim Burke is retiring from being Chair of the National Board of Directors. Congratulations Katie and Jim!

The first half of the year will have the following events. January will start off with the Seventh Annual Graduate and Second Annual Undergraduate Poster Sessions at La Salle University. February will bring Dr. John Collier from Florida State University to the area to talk about the “Making of Scotch.” March features the presentation of the Edgar Fahs Smith Award. This year’s recipient is Dr. David Tirrell from Caltech. Please note that this meeting date has been moved up one week to the second Thursday in March to accommodate those traveling to the ACS National Meeting in Chicago. April begins the first of two very busy months. The Eastern Regional Research Center of the US Department of Agriculture is being honored as a National Historic Chemical Landmark. This event will take place the day before our April Section meeting which honors the best college chemistry, biochemistry and chemical engineering seniors in the area. These students will be invited to tour the ERRC facilities in Wyndmoor on Wednesday and then be honored at our Section meeting on Thursday. The lecture for the April meeting will examine some of the important discoveries that were made at ERRC and how they relate to the foods that we eat today.

May is MARM month. Our Section is hosting the MARM 2007 meeting at Ursinus College. As of this writing, the program is coming together nicely and looks very interesting. The Section meeting will be held at Ursinus in conjunction with the MARM. We will honor our 2007 outstanding Elementary, Secondary, and College Science Teachers (nomination forms are now available) and the featured speaker will be Dr. Bassam Shakhashiri from The University of Wisconsin. Wrapping up the first half of the year will be the June meeting honoring the Section’s 50-year ACS members. Katie Hunt will talk about her vision for the ACS and the role that its members can serve in influencing legislation concerning science through the ACS’s Legislative Action Network.

Finally, I would like to introduce and thank Alan Heldon of Heldon Associates. He has volunteered to chair our Section’s Government Affairs Committee and coordinate with National’s Legislative Action Network. This is an area in which the Section has wanted to become more involved for some time. Be on the lookout for more information about how you can get involved with this committee and the LAN. Speaking of getting involved, the Section is always looking for new people who are willing to share their talents with us. If you would like to get involved, contact either the Section office at [email protected] or me at [email protected].

See you at the January Meeting!

DelAwAre VAlley Science FAirS

The Delaware Valley Science Fairs will be coming up shortly. Judges and mentors are always needed. Check the website www.dvsf.org for more information and to volunteer.


JAnUAry MeeTinG

The Philadelphia Section, American Chemical Society

presents the

SEVENTH ANNUAL GRADUATE STUDENTAND SECOND ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE

POSTER SESSIONS

Thursday, January 18th, 20076:00 - 8:00 PM

Ball Room, Student UnionLa Salle University

1900 West Olney AvenuePhiladelphia, PA

Refreshments will be served.Refreshments cost: $10; students with reservation and ID: $5.

RESERVATIONS should be made by calling Mrs. Libby Harper at the Section office, (215) 382-1589, or emailing [email protected] by 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 11th. Cancellations, if necessary, cannot be accepted after NOON on Tuesday, January 16th. UNCANCELLED RESERVATIONS WILL BE BILLED.

FREE PARKING is available in the Central High School parking lot on Olney Avenue between the High School and LaSalle (to the right of buildings 26 and 34 on the map).

A MAP is at http://www.lasalle.edu/campusmap/large_campus_map.php. The Student Union building is #33 on the map.

The Board of Directors will meet at 4:00 PM in Room 301 of the Student Union Building.


newS ATOMS

Madeleine M. Joullié, District III director of ACS, wrote about the pros and cons of outsourcing in the September 25th Chemical & Engineering News. She reported on a recent roundtable panel that met in Cyprus with representatives of small and large chemical firms.

The 2006 Albert Lasker clinical medical research award went to University of Pennsylvania professor Aaron T. Beck.

Philip Pfeffer retired from USDA’s Eastern Regional Research Center after 38 years of service. As an emeritus staff member he will continue to work on the biochemistry of plant/microbe interactions.

Rodrigo B. Andrade joined Temple University’s chemistry department as assistant professor. Hai-Lung Dai was named dean of Temple’s College of Science and Technology, and George F. Palladino was appointed vice dean. Before leaving the U. of P., Dai received the Ellis R. Lippincott award presented jointly by the Optical Society of America, the Coblentz Society, and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy.

Britton Chance, professor emeritus of biochemistry and biophysics of the U. of P., received the 2006 distinguished achievement medal of the American Aging Association for his work in the biomedical sciences.

Universtiy of Pennsylvania’s dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Robert D. Bent professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering Eduardo Glandt had a Festschrift published in his honor in the journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.

The American Chemical Society’s Heroes of Chemistry program honors teams of chemists recognized for their breakthroughs in medical and green chemistry. Local section members so honored include William Finch, Paul Nedwick, and Barry Weinstein of Rohm and Haas who worked with Johns Manville to produce a fiberglass insulation material that avoids use of formaldehyde.

The Section’s 2003 scholastic achievement award winner Matthew Volgraf of the U. of P., at that time, was recently awarded a

postdoctoral fellowship by the ACS division of medicinal chemistry.

DeAThSThomas J. Cronin, Jr. , a 57-year member

of ACS active in the field of spectroscopy, November 12th, 2005.

Howard A. Grace, chemical engineer, February 17th at 68.

J. Harold Koob, April 25th. 63-year member of ACS. No further details available.

John Jubin, Jr., chemical engineer with Lyondell Chemical, September 18th at 89. He was involved with Lyondell and its predecessor firms Atlantic Refining and Arco Chemical for 67 years and the development of several commercial processes including the manufacture of propylene oxide. He was a community volunteer for the American Red Cross and several other organizations.

William G. Vosburgh, Sr., retired research chemist formerly with DuPont, September 21st at 81. He was a WWII Army combat veteran in the South Pacific, honored with two Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantry badge, and Bronze Star. He joined DuPont in 1950 and retired in 1983 with seven patents to his credit. He and his wife also ran several hobby and craft shops in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.

Everett Hickman Murray, Jr., research chemist and intellectual property lawyer, September 26th at 87. After working as a research chemist during and after WWII he obtained a law degree and became an intellectual property attorney for Rohm and Haas. He also worked for General Refractories Co. as corporate counsel and general secretary before retiring. He was a 50-year member of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

John W. Rothrock, retired biochemist formerly with Merck, October 7th at 86. He was an aerial navigator in the Army Air Corps in WWII and returned to school, joining Merck in 1949. He worked on several drugs including Mevacor and Vasotec, retiring in 1986 after 37 years service. He loved hiking in the Grand Canyon, Swiss Alps, and in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. He was a member of the Green Mountain Club and the Appalachian Mountain Club.

January �007

Robert L. Grob, former research chemist and college professor, October 22nd at 79. During WWII he served with the US Army Engineers in Italy. He worked as a research chemist for several years at Esso Research and Engineering Co. and then took up an academic position at Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV 1957-1963. In 1963 he joined Villanova University where he taught both undergraduate and graduate students. His research work centered on separations science and environmental chemistry. He received numerous awards in chromatography and for excellence in teaching. After retiring from Villanova in 1992 he consulted in analytical and environmental chemistry and taught short courses. He was a 58-year member of ACS and founded the Chromatography Forum of the Delaware Valley.

Richard B. Wuchter, research chemist with Rohm and Haas, October 24th at 69. He worked in the field of ion exchange resins and obtained several patents and authored technical papers.

C. Donald Federline, chemical engineer who founded a laboratory equipment firm, October 28th at 80. After serving as a Navy communications technician in WWII he obtained his degree and worked for a glassware manufacturing firm. He then founded Celtech, Inc. in 1963 where he developed a system for connecting vacuum systems in laboratory and manufacturing environments. Celtech designed, supplied, and installed laboratory equipment. He also ran a hobby shop as a result of his interest in model airplanes.

Anthony F. Garito, former professor and business owner, November 1st at 67. He joined the physics department at the U. of P. in 1970, and from 1985 to 1990, was director of the Frontier Research Laboratory in Japan. He was also adjunct professor of optical sciences at the University of Arizona from 1995 until retiring from teaching in 2004. From 1997 he was president of Photon-X in Malvern, PA, developing devices for optical communications.


leTTer TO The chAirIn response to the October 2006 Chair's

column.Dear Ms. Kilmartin:

I am writing you in response to your solicitation of replies regarding Rudy Baum. The vitriolic letters responding to Rudy Baum’s editorial were indeed unfortunate. Apparently name calling was the best those writers could do, rather than addressing the real issue.

I believe that the position which Rudy Baum took was eminently correct. The press does have the responsibility for reporting illegal activity of any kind, and the president of the US simply cannot be the sole arbiter of what must be done in the name of national security. We have a three-component government which has functioned quite well in that respect, and every other respect. A press, free from constraints by government but subject to the laws, is one of our key freedoms, and Rudy Baum should use his editorial position to express his opinion freely.

Peter R. Lantos, PresidentThe Target Group, Inc.1000 Harston LaneErdenheim, PA 19038

2007 cOnTAcT cOnGreSS weeK

February 19-24, 2007

Every year Congress makes important decisions which affect American scientific and science education. However, less than 5% of the 535 federal legislators have backgrounds in science or engineering.

ACS members and the local Section can help their legislators make informed decisions by participating in the Society’s 2007 Contact Congress Week (February 19-24).

Contact Congress Week is an opportune time for ACS members to meet with US legislators in the legislator’s district offices, attend town hall meetings, or host events at their research facilities. This year’s message will focus on issues relating to science education and federal support for research and development.

If you would like to participate contact Alan R. Heldon, Government Affairs Committee, at 215-657-5966 or alanheldon@ comcast.net or Libby Harper at 215-382-1589 or [email protected].

James S. Clovis, retired research chemist formerly with Rohm and Haas, November 2nd at 69. He joined the firm in 1963 and retired in 1999 after serving for 18 years as director of research. He chaired the committee on education of the Industrial Research Institute and taught basic chemistry at the Opportunities Industrial Center in Philadelphia.

Harold A. Green, development chemist, at age 82. From 1948 to 1957 he worked for E. F. Houghton and Quaker Chemical in the fields of lubricants and surfactants. He then joined Houdry Process, later Air Products and Chemicals, working on catalytic processes. In 1970 he joined Onyx Chemical Co. and managed technical aspects of manufacturing surfactants and biocides. He obtained 70 patents. After retirement he consulted on anti-microbial products and the protection of intellectual property.

Herbert R. Levine, 61-year ACS member. No further details available.

inTrODUcinG OUr new chAir

David Cichowicz is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at La Salle University. He earned his BS in Chemistry from Saint Joseph’s University and his PhD in Biochemistry from Johns Hopkins University. Now in his 23rd year at La Salle, he enjoys teaching General Chemistry, Biochemistry and Forensic Chemistry courses and has run several Forensic Science workshops for high school students in the summer.

Outside of La Salle, Dave is very active in the Boy Scouts and working on projects around the house. But mostly, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Melissa, and their two children.


cAll FOr nOMinATiOnS

The 16th Annual Philadelphia Section, American Chemical Society

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE INPRE-COLLEGE TEACHING

KK-8 AND 9-12

The Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society will honor two outstanding science teachers from the Delaware Valley with its Awards for Excellence in Pre-College Science Teaching. One award will be given to a full-time educator involved in teaching science in grades K - 8. The second award will be given to a full-time educator at the secondary level (grades 9-12) who teaches chemistry. Nominees must teach in the Philadelphia Section’s geographic area (Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, Bucks, Burlington and Camden counties).

Nominations for 2007 will be accepted until Thursday, February 1st, 2007. The nomination should consist of a letter of nomination, the nominee’s curriculum vitae and at least two letters of recommendation. Other supporting information, such as students’ comments, is welcome. The total nomination package should not exceed 30 pages. A full copy of the package can be mailed to:

Mrs. Ella L. DavisChair, Awards CommitteePhiladelphia Section, ACSDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA 19104-6323

However, submission by electronic mail is preferred: [email protected]. For more information, please contact the Philadelphia Section, ACS office: phone: (215) 382-1589.

Award recipients will be honored at our May 2007 Section meeting with a certificate, an honorarium and an enrichment allotment.

cAll FOr nOMinATiOnS

The 5th Annual Philadelphia Section, American Chemical Society

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING

IN CHEMICAL SCIENCES

Sponsored by Merck & Co., Inc.

The Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society will honor an outstanding undergraduate teacher from the Delaware Valley with its Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in Chemical Sciences. The award will be given to a full-time educator involved in teaching an undergraduate course in the chemical sciences (chemistry, biochemistry). Nominees must teach in an institution that is within the Philadelphia Section’s geographic area (Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, Bucks, Burlington and Camden counties).

Nominations for 2007 will be accepted until Thursday February 1st, 2007. The nomination should consist of a letter of nomination, the nominee’s curriculum vitae and at least two letters of recommendation. Other supporting information, such as students’ comments, is welcome. The total nomination package should not exceed 30 pages. A full copy of the package can be mailed to:

Mrs. Ella L. DavisChair, Awards CommitteePhiladelphia Section, ACSDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA 19104-6323

However, submission by electronic mail is preferred: [email protected]. For more information, please contact the Philadelphia Section, ACS office: phone: (215) 382-1589.

Award recipient will be honored at our May 2007 Section meeting with a plaque and an honorarium from a representative of the Merck Corporation.

the Catalyst

cheMicAl cOnSUlTAnTS neTwOrK

Visit our web page at www.chemconsultants.org

NineSigma Sourcing Innovation Worldwide™

Charles J. Brez, M.S.E.E., Vice President of Innovation AlliancesDate & Time: January 10th, 2007 at

the Cynwyd Club, Bala Cynwyd, PA; Networking, 5:30 PM; Dinner, 6:30 PM; Talk and Business Session, 7:30 PM.

Abstract: NineSigma provides services, information, and software to help organizations improve their innovation sourcing processes and enhance the capabilities of their innovation management. Clients span the globe and are buyers and suppliers of innovation across a wide range of industries, technologies, and scientific disciplines.

See our website for more information about this meeting.

MiD-ATlAnTic reGiOnAl MeeTinG (MArM) VOlUnTeer

OPPOrTUniTy

The Philadelphia Section is sponsoring the 2007 Mid Atlantic Regional Meeting (MARM 2007). The effort is under the leadership of Vic Tortorelli and Sharon Haynie. The operating committee is now being formed and there are many opportunities to get involved in this exciting venture. We are particularly looking for individuals to help with fund-raising.

Want to become active in the Section and don’t know how? Have a skill or talent and want to make use of it? Willing to participate in or take care of just one project? This is the perfect opportunity to get involved and help yourself to the powerful networking opportunities provided by a Regional Meeting!

Most meetings of the operating committee are conducted by teleconference.

If you are interested just email or call Mrs. Libby Harper at the Section Office: [email protected] or 215-382-1589.

January �007

2007 Philadelphia Section Award: Dr. Patrick J. Walsh of the University of Pennsylvania displays the award at the October meeting with Dr. David J. Cichowicz (left), Chair of the Awards Committee, and Dr. Marsha Lester (right), Chair of the Department of Chemistry.

BOOK reView

Artificial Enzymes, ed. by Ronald Breslow. 7 by 9 ¾ inches, 194 pages, casebound, Wiley-VCH Verlag, Weinheim, Germany 2005. ISBN 13: 978-3-527-31165-1, $99.95 from Wiley, 111 River St., Hoboken NJ 07030.

Ronald Breslow, the Columbia University organic chemist who is best known for his work on artificial enzymes and biomimetic chemistry in general, has brought together a number of authors to explore new approaches to enzyme chemistry. Breslow sets the stage with his introductory chapter on the advances in this field developed primarily in his own laboratory. These include initial work with thiamine pyrophosphate and eventual development of artificial metallo enzymes, ribonucleases, enolases and aldolases, photochemical processes, and other synthetic catalysts.

The remaining chapters focus on specific aspects of artificial enzyme research. These include vitamin B-6 enzyme models, synthetic polymers with enzyme-like activity, catalytic antibodies, protein-based artificial enzymes, hydrolytic metalloenzymes, and artificial restriction enzymes for manipulating DNA.

Each chapter ends with its own bibliography, and a brief index concludes the book. This text will be of interest to biochemists and pharmaceutical researchers.

—Alan Warren

� the Catalyst

582nd Board of Directors MeetingThursday, May 25th, 2006

McCall Meeting & Conference Center

This is the edited version of the minutes. A full copy can be obtained from the Section Office.

Present: D. Kilmartin, C.J. Bruner, V. Tortorelli, D. Cichowicz, T. Straub, A. DeMasi, K. Shaginaw, R. Gates, J. Summers-Gates, A. Templeton, Sr. R. Mulligan, E. Davis, D. Cook, D. Thomas.

Excused: M. Cichowicz, G. Molander, D. Voet.Absent: C. Bentzley, C. Rulli, J. Nikelly. Also Present: L. Harper, H. Whalen, G.

Cowperthwaite, W. Smith.The meeting was called to order by Chair

Kilmartin at 4:00 PM.March Minutes: The minutes of the March

2006 meeting were approved.April Minutes: The April minutes were

approved with one abstention due to absence.COMMITTEE REPORTS:Philadelphia Section Awards: D. Cichowicz

reported that Patrick Walsh (Professor of Chemistry, U. of P.) is the Awards Committee choice for the Philadelphia Section Award. The report was approved.

MARM 2007: G. Cowperthwaite brought a Resolution to approve the opening of a banking account for the 2007 MARM. The Resolution includes the use of the Employer Identification number of the Philadelphia Section by key stakeholders on the MARM 2007 Planning Committee. The Board discussed budgeting for the MARMs over the past 10 years. There is no liability to the local Section. The MARM Executive Committee will most likely request a loan of $5K from the Section next year. The Board unanimously approved the Resolution.

OFFICER REPORTS:Chair (D. Kilmartin): The Chemistry

Department at the University of Pennsylvania has agreed to sponsor our use of the University Museum for the September meeting. Deb also plans to approach the Anthropology Department. Deb attended the Ridley High School Science Night, a program for 6th grade boys and girls. The student affiliate group from Temple University was represented, as was Widener.

Chair-Elect (D. Cichowicz): Dave hopes to present the program for 2007 at the September meeting.

Secretary (A. DeMasi): No report.Treasurer (C.J. Bruner): The Board

unanimously approved the Treasurer’s reports for March and April. C.J. Bruner reminded the Board that the Section received the allocation from National for the meeting held in Philadelphia in 2004.

OTHER BUSINESS:1. T. Straub mentioned that the Chemistry

Olympiad was held at La Salle University on April 22nd, 2006. Eighteen students participated; three received a certificate indicating that they scored in the top 150.

2. High School Certificates: T. Straub reported that 190 certificates in Chemistry were provided for 190 students at 180 high schools in the area. There are seven additional schools on the list this year.

3. Student Request for National meeting funding: The Board approved funding a student request for $250 to Amanda Conway from Villanova University. Amanda met the requirements of the funding process.

4. G. Cowperthwaite and D. Cichowicz mentioned that the Board should begin putting together a Hospitality Committee for the 2008 National meeting to be held in Philadelphia. George agreed to send an email to the volunteers from the 2004 meeting. The Committee will need a Chair. George will forward any responses to Chair Kilmartin. George described some of the potential activities of the Hospitality Committee including booths, giveaways, and communication with National (Operations and Accounting).

5. Dr. Will Smith (Bristol High School), who has piloted a High School Chemistry Club, attended the meeting and shared some of the activities going on in the Chem Club.

6. D. Kilmartin mentioned that Matt Milkevitch (a new section volunteer) will be attending the program this evening.

There being no other business, the Board meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,Anne S. DeMasi, Secretary

2007 elecTiOn reSUlTS2007 Chair: David J. Cichowicz2007 Chair-Elect: Ella L. Davis2007-2009 Treasurer: Carol Jean Bruner2007-2009 Directors: James S. Falcone, Jr., Maurine Falcone, Denise Thomas, Deborah H. Cook, John Tierney2007-2009 Councilors: Sharon L. Haynie, Deborah E. Kilmartin, Anne S. DeMasi, Anthony W. Addison2007-2009 Alternate Councilors: Robert Gates, Ella L. Davis, Judith Summers-Gates, Kathryn Lysko

�January �007

583rd Board of Directors MeetingThursday, June 15th, 2006

chaddsford winerychadds Ford, PA


Present: D. Kilmartin, C.J. Bruner, T. Straub, R. Gates, J. Summers-Gates, E. Davis, D. Cook and via teleconference K. Shaginaw, A. Templeton.

Excused: D. Cichowicz, M. Cichowicz, A. DeMasi, G. Molander, C. Rulli, V. Tortorelli, D. Voet.

Absent: C. Bentzley, Sr. R. Mulligan, J. Nikelly, D. Thomas.

Also: E. Harper.The meeting was called to order by Chair

Kilmartin at 3:15 PM.The May minutes were discussed and a

recommendation was made to identify those participating by teleconference in order to ascertain its popularity and utility. Additional corrections were identified. A quorum was not present so no further action could be taken.

CommittEE REPoRts:Nominations Committee: D. Cook presented a

slate of candidates. Ella Davis agreed to run with J. Summers-Gates for Chair-Elect. A candidate in

addition to C.J. Bruner is needed for Treasurer. Additional candidates are also necessary for Director. Discussion brought forth several names. A. Templeton said he would make his colleagues aware of the use of the teleconference option to attend Board meetings. The slate will be submitted by email for approval by the Board.

offiCER's REPoRts:treasurers Report (C.J. Bruner): The Board

was reminded that a transfer was made from the Money Market account. Also, attention was called to the program budget where many of the guest meals are now housed. The Board was asked to budget an appropriate amount to accurately reflect anticipated expenses.

othER BusiNEss:1. A group of six students from Widener

University requested help in funding their trip to the San Francisco National Convention in September. After discussion, an email request for approval for $250, the amount remaining in that budget, will be sent to the Board.

2. Christopher Petucci asked for the Delaware Valley Mass Spectroscopy Discussion Group to join the Section. Discussion pointed out that the group was already listed as a topical group and could continue as long as the officers of DVMSDG are ACS members.

� the Catalyst

3. A National Chemistry Week organizational phone conference will be held July 13th at 2:00 PM. J. Summers-Gates has agreed to head the National Chemistry Week Committee this year and will participate in the conference together with D. Kilmartin. Any interested member is encouraged to participate.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,Thomas S. Straub, Acting Secretary

584th BOArD OF DirecTOrS MeeTinGThursday, September 21st, 2006

University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA


Present: C.J. Bruner, D. Kilmartin, D. Cichowicz, D. Cook, E. Davis, A. DeMasi, K. Shaginaw, C. Rulli, G. Molander, Sr. R. Mulligan, D. Thomas, D. Voet.

Excused: M. Cichowicz, V. Tortorelli, A. Templeton.

Absent: C. Bentzley, J. Nikelly, T. Straub, R. Gates, J. Summers-Gates.

Also Present: L. Harper, J. Crawford, C. Petucci, V. Van Nostrand.

The meeting was called to order by Chair Kilmartin at 4:20 PM.

may/June minutes: The minutes of the May and June 2006 meetings were discussed, the May minutes were approved unanimously, the June minutes were approved with three abstentions due to absences.

offiCER REPoRts:Chair (D. Kilmartin): Chair Kilmartin discussed the Publications

Committee on behalf of George Cowperthwaite. There was a motion to accept the Publications Committee officers as follows: Robin Davis (Editor-in-Chief), George Cowperthwaite (Business Manager), Deborah Kilmartin (Chair). The motion passed unanimously.

Chair Kilmartin discussed the new “email blast” and gave some statistics. There were 5,616 names on the email list from National. 4,442 have agreed to receive emails, 1,072 have no email address, 82 asked to unsubscribe. The Board will continue to discuss the type of communications which will be sent out using these email addresses. This new form of communication will be highlighted in the Catalyst. The Section web page will be updated to include forms for nominations. The information in

the Catalyst needs to be updated as we currently request nine copies (this will not be necessary if the forms are emailed).

Chair Kilmartin mentioned that Oct. 15th is the deadline for the Gustavus John Esselen Award for Chemistry in the Public Interest, a Northeastern Section award.

Chair-Elect (D. Cichowicz): Chair-Elect Cichowicz has about one-half of the local Section meeting programs established for next year. The Graduate Student Poster Session will be held in January at La Salle University.

secretary (A. Demasi): C. Burcham served as an Alternate Councilor for G. Cowperthwaite at the Fall National meeting.

treasurer (C.J. Bruner): The Section has $3,446.77 interest on investments up until June. Treasurer Bruner asked that expense reports submitted to the Treasurer clearly indicate which line items need to be charged. She also requested that Councilors submit their expenses for San Francisco as soon as possible.

The Board approved the June and August Treasurer reports. The May report was also approved with one abstention.

othER BusiNEss:1. MARM 2007 – A. DeMasi reminded all

Board members of the spring MARM 2007 being held at Ursinus College.

2. A.DeMasi reported on the Council meeting held in San Francisco. There was much discussion on the topic of write-in candidates for National office. This practice could potentially result in the need for expensive, run-off elections. Also, the write-in candidates are not required to address the Council at the spring meeting.

3. NCW – the Chair for this year’s NCW is Judith Summers-Gates. The Section website needs to be updated to reflect this year’s activities. D. Cook offered to promote education events on the NJ List serve. Expand Your Horizons will be held on Oct. 21st at Chestnut Hill College. The keynote speaker will be Julia O’Neill from Merck. Volunteers are still needed. The spring event will be held on March 17th.

4. Delaware Valley Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group (Request for Funding) – Chris Petucci and Vince Van Nostrand from the DVMSDG made a special request for funding to cover program expenses for Fall 2006. The request was for $1,080 to cover travel for speakers. The request was approved unanimously.

5. Ballot – The deadline for ballot returns will be Oct 31st. This will be communicated

�January �007

in an email blast. D. Cichowicz moved that we approve the later deadline. G. Molander seconded. Passed unanimously.

There being no other business, the Board meeting was adjourned at 5:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,Anne S. DeMasi, Secretary

585th BOArD OF DirecTOrS MeeTinGThursday, October 12, 2006University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA


Present: D. Kilmartin, D. Cichowicz, C.J. Bruner, D. Cook, E. Davis (phone), R. Gates, G. Molander, Sr. R. Mulligan, C. Rulli, K. Shaginaw, T. Straub, J. Summers-Gates, D. Thomas (phone), D. Voet.

Excused: M. Cichowicz, A. DeMasi, A. Templeton, V. Tortorelli.

Absent: C. Bentzley, J. Nikelly.Also Present: L. Harper, J. Crawford (phone).The meeting was called to order by Chair

Kilmartin at 4:15 PM.september minutes: The minutes of the

September 2006 meeting were discussed and approved with one abstention.

offiCER REPoRts:Chair (D. Kilmartin): Chair Kilmartin discussed the following

topics:The Science Café – received an email from

National. Mini grants are awarded up to $500.Mark O’Brien will be contacted for details.Chair-Elect (D. Cichowicz): Chair-Elect

Cichowicz announced that the Graduate Student Poster Session will be held the third Thursday in January at La Salle University. There is no rental fee for the use of the facilities at La Salle. Budgeted ACS money will be used for the food. Frank’s Family Deli will be used for the catering.

Discussion included: need for easels, posters. Dave will look for the easels which are possibly at Drexel, Villanova, or Rohm & Haas. Some easels/posters may be purchased by La Salle University. A request was made that perhaps the ACS section could possibly buy some.

Undergraduate and graduate posters will be separated for judging. A request was brought forward to consider separating the presented posters into MS and PhD student categories. It was decided that this further distinction will not be used this

year. In the evaluations for the January event, this question will be posed to the students.

Other topics brought up included:The Philadelphia Section received a $3,000

mini-grant toward MARM from the National ACS funds. This is in response to a grant request from the Philadelphia ACS Section.

Most of the meetings in the spring are set. A schedule will be forthcoming. Most are on the third Thursday of each month. However in March, the meeting will be on the second Thursday (March 8).

Shirley Tilghman, president of Princeton University, will be the 2007 Ullyot Lecturer.

treasurer (C.J. Bruner): A request was made to have bills in by December 31st.

othER BusiNEss:1. A reminder was given that annual reports

can be submitted to D. Kilmartin.2. A thank you letter and receipts were submitted

by the Villanova student who received a grant to attend the ACS meeting in San Francisco.

3. Kathy Shaginaw reported that Expand Your Horizons will be held on Oct. 21st. The registration is overflowing. Julia O’Neill from Merck will be the keynote speaker. One more chemist could be used to help with the day. Many graduate students from Penn and Villanova are volunteering for the day.

4. Over 800+ students are expected to submit posters for the National Chemistry Week poster contest. Some teachers will send in digital pictures of posters. Pictures will be posted on the web.

To help narrow down the amount of posters, a recommendation was given to have teachers choose two from each classroom.

Items to give-away for NCW arrived. The theme this year is Your Home—It's All Built on Chemistry.

5. For the Graduate School Forum about 17 of the invited 55 graduate school represent-atives have responded as of this date. About 35 flyers were sent to surrounding colleges/universities to invite undergraduates to attend.

6. Ballots for elections have been sent out. Some returns have already come in. The change in the deadline was noted.

7. Discussion ensued regarding the revitalization of the chemical education topical group.

a. One possible outreach included pairing the science teacher institute at Penn with the ACS.

b. In order to encourage educators to join, it will be advertised that affiliate membership for teachers is $10.

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c. Carolyn Rulli will contact some others for ideas regarding teacher involvement.

8. Legislative Liaison – Deb Kilmartin reported that she was contacted by a Phila. Section member regarding his attendance at a workshop for Legislative Liaisons. The program was held in D.C., and all expenses were paid for by National ACS funds. Deb will pursue this person’s involvement and credentials.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.Respectfully submitted,Sr. Rose Mulligan, for Anne DeMasi,

Secretary.

JOy OF TOyS in cheMiSTrySeptember 27th, 2006

University of Pennsylvanialynn hogue and Mickey Sarquis

I attended the second ACS meeting of the month, the Using Toys Creatively in Chemistry lecture by ACS lecturers Lynn Hogue and Mickey Sarquis. We had about 30 people in attendance and about a quarter or so were like me: non-teachers interested in using toys in chemical demonstrations. Some, also like me, like to go to local schools and wow the kids with the fun of chemistry. As the family member who is usually brought out only for science homework, science fairs, and young children’s birthday parties (where my worth really shines!), I’m always glad to add to my limited repertoire. My family will be happy, too, especially with the “magic sand,” a hydrophobic silicon dioxide coated with silicon dioxide microbeads that, as you would expect, repel water. Pour into water and it clumps nicely making sand castles. Touch it under the water and it’s “dry,” pour off the water and it’s “dry,” pour hexane over it instead of water and it’s “wet” (not recommended without a fume hood and proper PPE—a slide presentation was used to show this portion). Add water to the mixture and the sand drops to the bottom and is “dry” once again. A great way to teach about polar and non-polar solutes and solvents, and hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, and just have fun doing it.

Lynn and Mickey are from the Center for Chemical Education at the University of Miami. These and many more demonstrations, hands on, and just plain fun things to do on a rainy day can be found at their website: www.terrificscience.org. They even sell some of the items we played with. In their slide presentation (also available on their website) they said that “play is learning without punishment.” Their purpose is to turn on not only “fun/hands on” but also “mental/mind on.” Unlike many sites and demonstrations I've seen over the last few years, the science is all there and all explained. “A magic act,” Mickey said, “is only a demonstration whose science isn’t known yet.” We were treated to snapping straws, potato shooters, polystyrene lids, sodium polyacrylate three cup shuffle, phosphor-escence hands and laser light, self-inflating balloons, and fortune-telling fish.

Once, the Section had an active chemical education topical group that offered technical demonstration help, seminars and talented speakers such as Lynn and Mickey, and brought teachers into the Society. As Dr. Schmuckler reminded me, he was one of the first teachers to be admitted as a member of the Society. We’ve come a long way since then, but our need to be together to share and solve problems still remains. As my year as Chair of the Section ends, I'm picking up old (chairing Publications Committee once again) and new (trying to re-form the chem. ed group) activities to keep me off the streets at night. If you're interested in chemical education as a teacher, occasional school visitor or just looking to start a career as birthday party magician, please contact me at [email protected] (put chem. ed in the subject line) or through Mrs. Libby Harper at 215-382-1589. Suggestions as to activities, speakers, other members, and chemical demonstration sites and activities are welcome.—Deb Kilmartin

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Advertising: Vince Gale, MBO ServicesP.O. Box 1150, Marshfield, MA 02050 phone (781) 837-0424, fax (781) 837-1453 email: [email protected].

Advertising IndexAbacalab 2ACS 4, 17, 19Bruker Daltonics Inc. 18Chemir Analytical Services 18Chemo Dynamics LP 7Desert Analytics 2DuPont Analytical Solutions 18Huffman Laboratories 19IQsynthesis 17MASS VAC, Inc. 10Micron Inc. 17NuMega Resonance Labs, Inc. 19Robertson Microlit Labs, Inc. 17Rutgers University 13Schwarzkopf Microanalytical 19Scientific Bindery 18


PhilADelPhiA SecTiOn, AcS 2007 cAlenDAr OF eVenTSJan. 8 Delaware Valley Mass Spectrometry Villanova University Discussion Group: Nathan Yates: Protein Biomarkers http://science.widener.edu/svb/msdg/Jan. 10 Chemical Consultants Network: Charles Cynwyd Club J. Brez: NineSigma Sourcing Innovation Bala Cynwyd, PA Worldwide™ www.chemconsultants.orgJan. 18 Graduate and Undergraduate Poster La Salle University Session Philadelphia, PAJan. 25 Philadelphia Organic Chemists Club University of Pennsylvania Michael Kress, Cephalon Philadelphia, PA www.chem.temple.edu/main/pocc/default2.htmlJan. 31 AIChE: CEO Lecture - George Cornelius Union League President & CEO of Arkema Philadelphia, PA http://aiche-philadelphia.org/Feb. 15 John Collier, Florida State Univ. Saint Joseph’s University Making Scotch Whiskey Philadelphia, PAMarch 8 Edgar Fahs Smith Lecture University of Pennsylvania David Tirrell, California Institute Philadelphia, PA of Technology April 20 Scholastic Achievement Awards TBA USDA The Chemistry of Everyday Food May 16-18 ACS Middle Atlantic Regional Ursinus College Meeting (MARM) Collegeville, PAMay 17 Teaching Awards Ursinus College Bassam Shakhashiri, U. of Wisconsin Collegeville, PAJune 21 Fifty-Year Member Recognition TBASept. 20 Chemistry of Scents TBAOct. 18 Philadelphia Section Award TBANov. 15 Ullyot Lecture: Shirley Tilghman Chemical Heritage Foundation Princeton University Philadelphia, PADec. 15 Herb Bassow Memorial Chemistry La Salle University Demonstration and Hands-on Philadelphia, PA Program

Kids n chemistry: Students from the West Chester University Alchemist Club (an ACS student affiliate group) brought fun with slime to children at St. Christopher’s Hospital on November 10th, 2006.

section's web page: ...january 007 page the catalyst official publication of the philadelphia...

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